Isaiah 1:1 - Homiletics

The vision of Isaiah which he saw.

The modern theory, that the prophetical gift was a mere "presentiment, "or" insight, "closely akin to that by which clear-sighted men of all times and nations have been able, in many respects, to forecast the coming course of events, is not very easily reconcilable with these words , "the vision of Isaiah which he scow ." As a commentator whose freedom from the shackles of tradition is beyond dispute observes, "With Isaiah, it" ( i.e. prophecy) "is not a mere presentiment; it is a calm and settled conviction, based on a direct revelation, and confirmed by a deep insight into the laws of the Divine government". Isaiah "sees" that which he announces. It is placed distinctly before him, as that which is about to be. He no more doubts it than he doubts that which is presented to his bodily vision. Hence it may be concluded—

I. That the prophetic inspiration was absolutely convincing to those who were favored with it, and precluded all feeling of doubt.

II. That it was wholly different in kind from that power of prevision which all men more or less possess, resting, not upon grounds of reason or experience, but upon an inward spiritual conviction that the substance of the prophetic announcement had been communicated to the prophet by God.